TURKOMANS BETWEEN TWO EMPIRES: THE ... - Bilkent University

shown, for the purpose of the present study, that there exist three kinds of relationships
of the individual, which must be of the primary concern in determining the structural
basis of community. These are (a) interpersonal relations within a group, (b) the
relationship between individual and group as a whole, (c) and the relations of individual
with other groups or members of other groups, which appears to be relatively weak in
traditional close-knit societies. The density, strength, and nature of these three kinds of
relationships have been considered among those factors chiefly responsible to shape the
group structure and identity.
If to consider society not just as a set of individuals but also as a network of
values, norms, beliefs surrounding an individual and merging him/her into the social
body, all the elements of the network between individuals constitute the bases of
interpersonal relations. In other words, one might regard society as a plasmatic entity,
whose constituents are not just particles (correspond to individuals in this analogy) but
also mucus that holds particles together. It is by the strength of this interpersonal
network that a group can attain a distinct being for the most part independent from the
individuals and has a certain imperative power on its members. When the social norms,
values, cultural premises, and religious dogmas, which are social by nature, gain
prominence, then there would be little room for personal choices of behavior. 134 In this
perspective, hence, it appears that the stronger the cohesive forces within group, the
134 One striking result of this compact social structure appears in conversion to a new religion. Just like
other issues individual can not decide to change his religion. Because, this is such an issue that must come
up as a result of collective consensus. But, as a rule, it is usually the leader of a group who makes that sort
of decision and is followed by other members. The crucial point here, however, is that since the
conversion was a collective act, an individual could hardly internalize the dogmas and cannons of a new
religion, but only superficially imitate. What he practiced would be nothing than his old beliefs under the
polish of new faith. This point, however, needs further analysis, which will partly be done in the next
chapters.
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